By John Alechenu, Abuja
The Igbo Agenda Dialogue, IAD, has endorsed Mr Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Party, NDC, for the January 16, 2027 presidential election, declaring that Igbo people constitute at least 25 per cent of voters in 31 states and the FCT.
IAD National Chairman and APGA founder, Chief Chekwas Okorie, announced this in Abuja on Wednesday. He described IAD as the Igbo political grid, linked to Igbo unions, market associations, women and youth groups at home and in the diaspora.
Okorie traced Igbo political collaboration for national unity. He recalled that Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe led the independence struggle and that his NCNC entered a coalition with the NPC to make Alhaji Tafawa Balewa Prime Minister in 1960. In the Second Republic, Azikiwe’s NPP again allied with the NPN to form a stable government.
He also recalled that during Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar’s transition, Igbo leaders met at Modotel Hotel, Enugu, and invested in the PDP after Dr Alex Ekwueme assured them his northern NPN associates would support him for President. The South-East delivered all offices to PDP, but Ekwueme was shortchanged at the Jos primary.
Okorie said IAD appraised all frontline candidates for 2027 — track record, empathy, fitness, probity and prudence — and consulted widely before settling for Obi.
“We came to the unanimous resolution that it will be in the best interest of Nigeria to elect Mr Peter Obi,” he said, adding that Obi enjoys support across ethnic and religious lines and is the most globally visible contender.
He said Nigerians have long been stuck with gerontocrats and now have a chance to elect a compassionate, prudent and incorruptible leader despite intimidation.
Okorie made his boldest claim on demography: “Igbo people constitute a minimum of 25% of the voting population in each of the 31 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory or the second largest population to the indigenous population of these states while constituting over 99% of the voting population in the five states in the South East.”
He said Obi will run with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano governor, as running mate.
He urged other Igbo politicians to campaign on issues.
To underscore Igbo accommodation, Okorie cited two examples: the election of Alhaji Umaru Altine, a Fulani from Sifawa, Sokoto, as first Mayor of Enugu on NCNC platform in the First Republic, re-elected as an independent after losing NCNC ticket; and the appointment of Chief (Mrs) H.I.D. Awolowo as Minister without portfolio by Premier Dr M.I. Okpara while Chief Obafemi Awolowo was in Calabar Prison, with full emoluments including a chauffeur-driven Mercedes Benz.
He said IAD will escalate its campaign through its networks to ensure Obi’s victory.
The post We are 25% of voters in 31 States, will elect Obi in 2027 – IAD appeared first on Vanguard News.